Early years

Neiman was born Leroy Runquist in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the son of Lydia (née Serline) and Charles Runquist. He was abandoned by his father at an early age, and adopted his stepfather's surname. Neiman and his mother, Lydia, were forced to fend for themselves. Neiman distinguished himself by drawing.

In 1942, Neiman left high school to enlist in the US Army, where he spent four years before returning to St. Paul to finish his high school degree.

Playboy magazine and beyond

Neiman worked as an illustrator for department store Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. in Chicago in the early 1950s alongside a copywriter named Hugh Hefner. After Hefner started Playboy magazine in 1953, Neiman's artwork was featured in several issues. To this day, Neiman continues to illustrate the "Femlin", a Playboy character that is featured every month on the jokes page. Neiman's early success is largely considered to be a direct result of his friendship with Hefner.